Short Summary

Iranian Prime Minister Amir Abbas Hoveyda, had talks in New Delhi on Tuesday (11 May) with his Indian counterpart, Mrs Indira Gandhi and Fakruddin Ali Ahmed, the Indian President.

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Iranian Prime Minister Amir Abbas Hoveyda, had talks in New Delhi on Tuesday (11 May) with his Indian counterpart, Mrs Indira Gandhi and Fakruddin Ali Ahmed, the Indian President. At a news conference on Wednesday (12 May) Mr. Hoveyda defended his country's arms build-up.

During Mrs. Gandhi's visit to Iran in 1974, the two countries signed a 1,000 million US dollar (about GBP 555 million sterling) agreement on trade and aid. A further programme of economic cooperation was agreed after a visit by the Shah of Iran to India in October, 1974.

According to Reuters, the talks, between Mrs. Gandhi and Mr. Hoveyda centred on the supply of alumina and a number of foodstuffs to Iran. Mr. Hoveyda said that trade between the two countries was gaining momentum and added, "the sky's the limit on co-operation between India and Iran".

In his statement on Wednesday, Mr. Hoveyda said that Iran had no expansionist ambitions. When asked about major purchases of arms from the big Western powers, he said, "In this world you have to be strong yourself. If you are not strong yourself, then you might be in trouble". He added that Iran wanted to see an end to big power rivalry in the Persian Gulf and around the Indian Ocean.

The Iranian Prime Minister is on a five-day visit to India and arrived on 10 May. He is accompanied by an important delegation and is expected to visit industrial centres and export showrooms before leaving on 15 May.

SYNOPSIS: Iranian Prime Minister Amir Abbas Hoveyda continued his visit to New Delhi on Tuesday in discussions with Indian President Fakruddin Ali Ahmed. Mr. Hoveyda later issued a statement in defence of his country's arms build-up over the last few years.

Mr. Hoveyda also visited Parliament House, where he met Indian Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira Gandhi. In 1974 Mrs. Gandhi visited Iran and the two countries signed a trade and aid agreement for 1,000 million US dollars. And after a visit to India by the Shah of Iran the same year, a further programme of economic co-operation was agreed upon.

Indian Foreign Minister, Yashwantrao Chavan also attended the talks with Mr. Hoveyda.

Mr. Hoveyda also said in his statement that Iran had no expansionist ???tions, but believed a country should be strong to avoid trouble.